Ejection Fraction Normal

Understanding ejection fraction is key to knowing how well your heart pumps blood with each beat. A normal ejection fraction is a sign of a healthy, functioning heart that meets your body’s needs.

Table of contents

• What is ejection fraction?
• How ejection fraction is measured
• Normal ejection fraction ranges
• How blood flows through the heart
• The ejection fraction calculation
• Types of ejection fraction measurements
• Having normal ejection fraction with heart failure
• Why knowing your ejection fraction matters

What is ejection fraction?

Ejection fraction is a measurement that shows how well your heart pumps blood. It tells you the percentage of blood that leaves your heart each time it beats^[1]. The heart pumps blood from its lower chambers, called ventricles, out to your body. Even in a healthy heart, not all the blood gets pumped out with each beat—some blood always stays behind^[4].

This measurement is expressed as a percentage. For example, if your ejection fraction is 60%, it means that 60% of the blood in your heart’s main pumping chamber is pushed out to your body with each heartbeat^[5].

How ejection fraction is measured

Your doctor can measure your ejection fraction using several different imaging tests. The most common method is an echocardiogram, which uses sound waves to create pictures of your beating heart^[6]. This test is widely used because it is accessible and cost-effective^[7].

Other tests that can measure ejection fraction include:

• Cardiac MRI: Uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of your heart^[5]
• Nuclear stress test: Uses a small amount of radioactive material injected into your vein to track blood flow through your heart^[5]
• Cardiac catheterization: A procedure where a thin tube is inserted into a blood vessel to monitor heart function^[6]
• Cardiac CT scan: Uses X-rays and a computer to create images of the heart^[7]

Normal ejection fraction ranges

A normal ejection fraction in a healthy heart is between 50% and 70%^[1]. This means that with each heartbeat, your heart pumps out 50% to 70% of the blood in your left ventricle to your body^[1].

The normal range can vary slightly between men and women. For males, a normal ejection fraction is 52% to 72%, while for females it is 54% to 74%^[1].

According to the American Heart Association, a left ventricle ejection fraction of about 50% to 70% is categorized as normal^[3]. Ejection fractions between 50% and 70% are considered normal, and the specific number within this range shows how efficiently your heart is pumping^[4].

How blood flows through the heart

To understand ejection fraction, it helps to know how blood moves through your heart. Your heart has four chambers—two upper chambers called atria and two lower chambers called ventricles^[4].

Blood enters the heart through the top right section. Between heartbeats, there is a short pause when blood flows through a valve down to the left ventricle. Once the ventricle is full, the next heartbeat pumps out a portion of the blood to the body^[1].

The left ventricle is the heart’s main pumping chamber. It pumps oxygen-rich blood through the body’s main artery, called the aorta, and then to the rest of the body^[3].

The ejection fraction calculation

Ejection fraction is calculated using a simple formula. It equals the amount of blood pumped out of the ventricle with each contraction, called stroke volume, divided by the total amount of blood in the ventricle, called end-diastolic volume. The result is then multiplied by 100 to express it as a percentage^[1].

The formula looks like this: EF = (SV/EDV) x 100^[5].

In simple terms, the ejection fraction is the percentage of blood pumped out of the ventricle after each contraction^[1].

Types of ejection fraction measurements

Ejection fraction measurements can be taken from either side of the heart, though the left side is measured most often.

Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is the most commonly measured type. It shows how much oxygen-rich blood is pumped out of the left ventricle to most of the body’s organs with each contraction. This measurement helps determine how well the left side of the heart is working^[1].

Right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) measures the amount of oxygen-poor blood pumped out of the right side of the heart to the lungs to pick up oxygen. This measurement is important if you have right-sided heart failure, but this condition is less common than left-sided heart failure^[1].

Having normal ejection fraction with heart failure

It is possible to have a normal ejection fraction and still have heart failure. This condition is known as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, or HFpEF^[1].

In this type of heart failure, the heart muscle contracts normally and pumps a large portion of blood out. However, the left ventricle holds a lower volume of blood than it should. This often happens because the heart tissue becomes thick or stiff, which effectively shrinks the size of the ventricle. When this happens, the amount of blood pumped out to the body isn’t enough to meet its needs^[1].

You may be at risk for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction if you have high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, or other conditions^[1]. Other health conditions that can lead to HFpEF include diabetes, irregular heartbeat, obesity, kidney disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease^[5].

Why knowing your ejection fraction matters

Your ejection fraction is an important indicator of how well your heart is working. It is one of the most common methods healthcare providers use to report overall heart function^[4].

Ejection fraction is a fundamental measure of how well your heart’s left ventricle is pumping. It serves as a critical marker of heart muscle strength and is among the most reliable predictors of heart-related outcomes across all ages and genders^[7].

If you have or are at risk for heart failure, your healthcare provider will want to know your ejection fraction. This measurement helps guide treatment decisions, monitor disease progression, and determine if you need certain therapies^[1].

A normal ejection fraction doesn’t always mean your heart is completely healthy. Some people have heart failure symptoms even with a normal ejection fraction^[4]. However, knowing your ejection fraction gives your doctor important information about your heart’s pumping ability and overall health.